Week 3 of the America’s Got Talent Live Quarterfinals was released on August 27, 2024, on NBC, featuring many extraordinary performances. One of the most appreciated and loved performances was by Maya Neelakantan, a 10-year-old guitarist. The musician played Master of Puppets by Metallica and stunned everyone with her "brilliant" performance.
America’s Got Talent Quarterfinals performances included the Menudo dance group Sabrina; Sam Huang - the magician; Reid Wilson - the singer; the Reklaws band, aerialist Kelsey Jane; Journeyy - the keyboardist/ singer; Learnmore Jonasi - the comedian and Maya Neelakantan - the electric guitarist.
Maya Neelakantan’s performance during the quarterfinals won everyone’s hearts. All the judges, the host, and the audience loved her performance.
"You are amazing. You’re perfect…You picked this instrument instead, and you’re so amazing on it. Well done! I hope America’s going to love you," shared Heidi Klum.
Maya Neelakantan: America’s Got Talent Quarterfinals performance reviews from the AGT judges
The America’s Got Talent Live Quarterfinals featured Maya Neelakantan, a 10-year-old talented girl from Chennai, India. She is often seen wearing traditional Indian attire throughout her AGT performances, and she has given fantastic performances every time. With her skills and talent, Maya has reached the show's quarterfinals.
Maya Neelakantan, whom Simon calls "Rock Goddess," performed a Metallica song during America’s Got Talent Quarterfinals. She became the first-ever act/ band to perform their music on the AGT stage.
Howie Mandel shared his thoughts about Maya’s performance:
"Wow! That was like a Van Halen reincarnate. You’re amazing on that, and not only that, the fact that you were mixing it in with your cultural like a sitar and making it sound like a guitar it’s and your smile, it doesn’t, and you wouldn’t think it would come from you. You are a surprise. You’re amazing. I love you, and I think America’s going to love you."
While Heidi Klum praised the talented musician by telling her she was “perfect.” Fellow judge Sophia couldn’t believe that "all that music" was coming out of her, and she described it as "really surprising."
"It was just wild. I mean, the thing, I got to say a big thank you to Metallica for giving you that song. That doesn’t happen very often. I think you’re just one of these people who’ve just got a god-given talent, and it’s always brilliant to be surprised; it’s also great to see someone improve from their first audition ‘cause this was a real step up," shared Simon Cowell.
Later on America’s Got Talent, the host Terry Crews asked Maya how she felt after performing such an "iconic" song; Maya replied that she felt "amazing" and that she was "so happy" that she had the honor of playing Master Puppet Metallica for the first time on AGT. Maya also thanked Metallica and the Cliff Burton family.
Fans can enjoy the episodes of America’s Got Talent on Peacock. New episodes of the reality competition show are released every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock from the next day.
